Sylvania’s Braiden Thomas (22) stiff-arms Fayette County’s Mason Dixon (3) during a run for a touchdown Friday night. Mandy Helton / Special to Southern Torch
By Roger Scott
Special to Southern Torch
SYLVANIA, Ala. — Sylvania rushed for more than 380 yards behind senior back Braiden Thomas and sophomore Aiden Parham to cruise to a 35-6 victory over Fayette County.
Fayette County (8-3 overall and 4-2 in 3A, Region 5) visited Rams Stadium in the first round of the AHSAA Football Playoffs.
“I thought our guys played well. Found a way to win the game and dominate the game for the most part. We turned the ball over three times, and our defense held them out [of the end zone] all three times,” said Sylvania Head Coach Tyler Vann.
“I think it shows what this team is about. When adversity hits, they continue to fight. Really proud of the way they played,” Vann said. “Any time you can have [more than 380 yards rushing] and dominate the ball game its going to be a good night.”
The Tigers received the opening kickoff and picked up a couple of first downs before Sylvania forced a fumble at its own 43-yard line. Thomas gained 17 yards on a rush, and quarterback Jaxon Smith completed a 15-yard strike to sophomore receiver Josh Scott.
Thomas then carried it in for the 13-yard touchdown with 6:38 in the first quarter. Conner Andrade’s PAT was good for the 7-0 score.
Fayette County had a promising second possession but was plagued with false start penalties and failed to convert a fourth-and-13 pass at Sylvania’s 19-yard line.
The Rams couldn’t capitalize, though, as Smith and Parham mishandled the exchange on a handoff and turned the ball over to the Tigers. Fayette County put itself behind the chains with penalties and again failed to convert on fourth down from the Sylvania 30-yard line.
Thomas and Parham went to work on the ground and Scott hauled in a pass from Smith to move to the Tigers’ 16-yard line. Thomas then took in a direct snap for the touchdown. Sylvania led 14-0 with 7:00 in the second quarter after Andrade’s PAT.
“On offense, thanks to our line, Braiden and Aiden were able to have big night. [Thomas] ran for more than 220 yards, and [Parham] had another 150 or so,” Vann said.
Sylvania defensive players wait for the call from the sideline Friday night vs. Fayette County in the first round of the AHSAA playoffs. Mandy Helton / Special to Southern Torch
The Rams forced a punt on the Tigers’ next drive, and Parham then scampered 70 yards for another Sylvania touchdown at 5:08 left in the half. The PAT was good for the 21-0 lead.
“I thought the kickoff unit did a really good job. Landon Pritchett stood out as our special teams player of the week,” Vann said. “I liked the way our guys played up front on both sides of the football, and our linebackers played well. Proud of the whole group, he said.
Fayette County got on the board with its next possession on a 34-yard touchdown pass by Blake Johnson. The 2-point attempt was no good. At the half, the score was 21-6 in favor of Sylvania.
After a Sylvania turnover in the third quarter, Johnson completed a pass to Cooper Sanford to move to the Sylvania 11-yard line, but Griffin Haygood picked off Johnson’s fade pass in the corner of the end zone to end the threat.
Sylvania dominated most of the second half, as the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and Thomas bolted for scores of 51 and 42 yards to make the final score 35-6.
“Huge win for [us]. Moving forward, it’s day-by-day and trying to find a way to win this week and move on to the next round,” Vann said.
Sylvania travels to Madison Academy for its second-round matchup Friday night.
